614
National Geographic 'lotograller \illiarul 1. r uner
Midshipmen at Annapolis Tour U.S.S. Trigger, a Deadly New Attack Submarine
Snorkel tubes enable modern submarines to stay underwater for weeks. Streamlined hulls and improved
power plants give them astonishing speed when submerged (page 617). Trigger, one of six new attack-type
submarines, actually travels faster beneath the water than on the surface.
For 10 more minutes the altimeter seesawed
back and forth, like an erratic compass.
Finally Burke said:
"I guess that's enough. The boys at lunch
below deck are probably blessing us out. It's
sometimes difficult to swallow while the pres
sure is constantly fluctuating."
It is also difficult to sleep, Navy physicians
told me later. Men are often awakened by
pain or discomfort in ears and sinuses.
Twenty minutes of this proved enough for
me, and I regarded with added respect the
men of our undersea fleet.
Both a Weapon and a Threat
In four weeks of watching submariners in
action, from Connecticut to Key West, Florida,
I saw how fleet-type subs of World War II,
though still effective, are destined for the
fate of the Model T Ford. Newer and even
deadlier types, streamlined and capable of
high submerged speed, are joining the fleet.
Some are conversions from old vessels. Others
have been constructed from the keel up and
embody a host of innovations in armament and
equipment.
I saw, too, something of our countermeas
ures, including deadly little submarine-killer
subs, for the snorkel is a two-edged weapon
that could be used against us.
"We make a vast mistake if we assume our
potential enemies cannot challenge our su
premacy at sea," said Admiral William M.
Fechteler, Chief of Naval Operations, in a
lecture before members of the National Geo
graphic Society last February in Washington,
D. C.
"I refer specifically to the submarine
threat.
"We came perilously near to losing World
Wars I and II by reason of German unre
stricted submarine warfare in the North At
lantic.
"Germany commenced World War II with
only 50 submarines of relatively low speed
and poor operating characteristics. The Ger
mans greatly improved their submarine design
as the war progressed.
"Russia today has between three and four